September 9, 2017

Widener's Powell Has Big Day And Leads The Pride To Win Over The Devils

Photo Courtesy of Widener Sports Information

CHESTER, Pa. – Behind a strong effort that included three scores on the defensive side of the ball, two by Jordan Powell, the Widener University football team claimed its first win of the season, downing the FDU-Florham Devils 49-7 on Saturday afternoon at Leslie C. Quick, Jr. Stadium.

The Pride built a 14-0 halftime lead, scoring in the opening quarter on an eight-yard run by D'Andre Sapp, capping an eight play, 53-yard drive, before a tipped pass led to a Kyle Lowery interception that he ran back 98 yards midway through the second quarter, providing Widener with its lead at the break. Leading the way for the Blue and Gold in the opening 30 minutes on the offensive side of the ball was Chris Randle, who rushed for 64 yards.

Widener pulled away in the third quarter, thanks to the deep ball as well as Powell's defense. On the third play of the second half, Sean McGaughey hit James Gillespie in stride racing down the middle of the field. The speedy receiver took it the rest of the way for a 76-yard score. On the next offensive possession, McGaughey found Montrell Hicks-Taylor on the right side. After evading a tackle, Hicks-Taylor scampered 49 yards for the touchdown, putting the Pride up 28-0. Powell shined in the second portion of the quarter. Five minutes into the frame, he sacked Jagger Green, forcing a fumble in the process. He scooped up the loose ball and ran 18 yards to paydirt to make it 35-0. 10 minutes later with FDU driving, Powell stepped up again, intercepting a pass at the goalline and taking it back the length of the field for a score.

FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
After driving the ball for more than three minutes, the Blue and Gold cracked the scoreboard when Sapp took the rock on a jet sweep and found the end zone untouched off the left side, putting Widener up 7-0.

The Pride outgained the Devils 99-29 in the period, including a 69-1 advantage on the ground.
Tyree Nobles, Jr. led the defense with four tackles in the opening 15 minutes.

SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
After the teams traded three-and-outs to open the frame, FDU was driving down the field, taking the ball to the Widener seven. On first-and-goal, Green's pass went off the hands of Powell, but right into the waiting arms of Lowery who raced 98 yards into the end zone to extend the lead to 14-0.
Widener once again dominated the ground game in the frame, outrushing the Devils 37-0.Joe Fox came up with five tackles in the quarter.

THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
Two long pass plays helped the Blue and Gold extend its lead. After a pair of plays to open the quarter saw the Pride face a third and 11 from its own 24, McGaughey unloaded a deep ball down the middle that Gillespie ran under in perfect rhythm, taking it to the house to make the score 21-0.

After a five play drive by FDU resulted in a punt, Widener moved the ball 19 yards to the Devils' 49 when McGaughey struck again, finding Hicks-Taylor down the left side. Despite a holding penalty against FDU, the senior made the catch and ran 49 yards for the score.

Powell came up with his heroics less than 30 seconds later, coming up with a sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery at the 9:57 mark, the last play of the sequence allowing him to race 18 yards into the end zone.

Just under five minutes later, FDU drove the ball down to the Pride five before Green was intercepted in the red zone for the second time, this one by Powell on the goal line. Jumping the route, the junior had a clear path in front of him for the next 100 yards, going coast-to-coast for his second TD of the game.

In addition to the two defensive scores, Widener held a 188-56 advantage in total offense.FOURTH

QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
The Pride completed their longest drive of the day by time early in the stanza when Corbin Melle rushed eight yards off right tackle for his first career touchdown. The score capped a 10-play, 60-yard effort that spanned five minutes.

BY THE NUMBERS
Widener defeated FDU-Florham for the 19th consecutive time.

The Pride won its ninth straight MAC opener.

The game marked the sixth time in the last eight meetings between the two schools that Widener scored at least 40 points.

Powell had a fantastic overall day. In addition to his pair of touchdowns, he had seven tackles, a sack and 3.5 tackles for loss.TWEETABLES (140 characters or less) Jordan Powell with two defensive scores as @Widener_FB wins its ninth straight MAC opener downing FDU-Florham 49-7 RollPride GoWidener.@Widener_FB with its 19th straight victory against FDU-Florham, winning 49-7 at

Quick Stadium RollPride GoWidener
Six different players find the end zone for @Widener_FB as the Pride picks up a 49-7 MAC opening win! RollPride GoWidener

UP NEXT
The Pride plays its second of back-to-back home games, hosting Misericordia in a MAC contest on Saturday, Sept. 16. Kickoff is set for 1:07 p.m.